The Northeast Charter Schools Network today announced the hiring of its new Connecticut State Director, Yamuna (Yam) Menon. Menon will serve as State Director, overseeing the association’s policy and advocacy work in the state. Menon will be instrumental in working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to advance policies that support, protect and grow the state’s public charter school movement.

Menon is Connecticut resident and graduate of the state’s educational system

New Haven, CT – The Northeast Charter Schools Network today announced the hiring of its new Connecticut State Director, Yamuna (Yam) Menon. Menon will serve as State Director, overseeing the association’s policy and advocacy work in the state. Menon will be instrumental in working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to advance policies that support, protect and grow the state’s public charter school movement.

Menon joins the state charter association from the 50-State Campaign for Achievement Now, or 50CAN, where she was the Vice President of Advocacy and Policy. Before that time, she served on and led the policy and research team at ConnCAN for several years.

Northeast Charter Schools Network CEO Janeene Freeman said, "Yam has incredible knowledge of the Connecticut charter school law and understands the urgent need to support and protect our charter community. She will be a fierce advocate for Connecticut’s nearly 10,000 charter students and families, as well as the families whose children are on waiting lists to get into a charter school. We believe she is really going to move the needle here in Connecticut."

"As someone who grew up in Connecticut, attended schools here, and who comes from a family of public school educators, education is deeply important to me. I am grateful to return to the place I've long called home to use my experience and knowledge of the law to help bring a movement of great schools to the families demanding better educational options for their communities." said Menon.

A previous 20-plus year resident of the state and product of Connecticut schools, Menon, an attorney, received her degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law. Additionally, she helped start the successful Booker T. Washington Academy Charter School in New Haven, and served on its board of directors.

For more on the Northeast Charter Schools Network Connecticut staff, click here.

Connecticut currently has 24 charter schools open, serving nearly 10,000 families across the state. For more on Connecticut’s charter schools, click here.

About the Northeast Charter Schools Network: The Northeast Charter Schools Network is the membership and advocacy organization for the more than 250 charter schools in New York and Connecticut. Its mission is to support and expand high quality charter schools.